The optical polarization of the blazar PKS 2155–304 during an optical flare in 2010
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Abstract
An analysis is presented of the optical polarimetric and multicolour photometric (BVRJ) behaviour of the blazar PKS 2155–304 during an outburst in 2010. This flare develops over roughly 117 d, with a flux doubling time τ ∼ 11 d, which increases from blue to red wavelengths. The polarization angle is initially aligned with the jet axis but rotates by roughly 90° as the flare grows. Two distinct states are evident at low and high fluxes. Below 18 mJy, the polarization angle takes on a wide range of values, without any clear relation to the flux. In contrast, there is a positive correlation between the polarization angle and flux above 18 mJy.
Description
Keywords
Polarization, BL Lacertae objects: individual: PKS 2155-304, Multicolour photometric, Flux
Citation
Taylor, A. R. et al. (2020). The optical polarization of the blazar PKS 2155–304 during an optical flare in 2010. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 495(2), 2162–2169